After 10 months of leadership, Principal Marvin Youmans turned in his letter of resignation to staff via e-mail on Nov. 20.

The three-sentence e-mail read: “This is to inform you that I have officially resigned my position as principal of Southfield High School effective at the close of school today. I wish only the best for you and the students. May God bless you. Marvin Youmans.”

Youmans could not fulfill the goal he set to “make Southfield High School the school of tomorrow, today.” Which resulted in heavy criticism on the matters of building security and discipline.

Superintendent Cecil Rice told staffers at a faculty meeting the next day that “Mr. Youmans left on a voluntary basis. No force was implied to remove him from his position.”

Director of Information Services Ken Siver said, “Mr. Youmans had a difficulty establishing a working rapport with students, staff and parents.”

In other administrative changes, Assistant Principal Marty Bulger was demoted from his position the same week and was involuntarily reassigned as a math teacher at Southfield’s sister school, Southfield-Lathrup. “Bulger accepted the new job assignment and reported to work on December first to fill a math vacancy, ” said Siver.

Rice also announced that Earl Dixon will serve as a parttime co-principal.

Dixon, who is principal at Arthur Ashe Academy in Southfield, was a former assistant principal of Southfield High for two years starting in August 2000. He is expected to be named principal of Southfield High for next year.

The administrative changes left the student population in awe. Junior Jasmine Stewart said she felt mislead: “Youmans promised to make big changes within the school and left without not one change being made.” Stewart’s comments on Bulger seemed to bring a tear to her eye when she added, “the school will not be the same. Mr. Bulger loved us and cared, and someone needs to find him!”

Rice told the staff, “Now that everything has occurred, we must not go back in time. We must move on.”

Rice let everyone know that as quickly as possible a new administrative team was pulled together. Dr. Clarence Stone is serving as the principal. Stone was the interim principal last year after Dr. Donald Jones retired and before Marvin Youmans started.

Thomas Holliday and Kelly Cunningham will remain in their assistant principal roles, Rice said.

Southfield High has had four changes in the principal’s position in a year and a half. Another change is expected in the fall because Dr. Stone came out of retirement to lead the school in light of Youman’s resignation.